T20 World Cup: Liam Livingstone Doubtful For Campaign Opener After Finger Injury

England were deal with a massive blow as in-form Liam Livingstone copped up a finger injury during the warm-up game against India on Monday in Dubai. A spokesperson from the England team stated that they will assess his injury over the next 24 hours as they wait to see whether the all-rounder will be fit for the T20 World Cup opener.

Incidentally, Livingstone injured his finger when he dropped Ishan Kishan while fielding at mid-wicket. Liam Livingstone left the field alongside England’s physio with a swelling on his little finger in his left hand. Sam Billings came on the ground as his replacement.

A bad sight for England.

Liam Livingstone leaves the field with what looks like an injured finger. #T20WorldCup2021 pic.twitter.com/4AOxrGT09f

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 18, 2021

Liam Livingstone contributed 30 off 20 balls and also returned with figures of 1/10 from his two overs before leaving the ground.

England lose their first warm-up game

Batting first, England posted 188 runs on the board riding on Jonny Bairstow and a late impetus from Moeen Ali. Jason Roy and Jos Buttler gave the Three Lions a decent start before India came back with a couple of wickets.

However, England batters kept the scoreboard ticking before Moeen Ali unleashed carnage in the death overs. He scored an unbeaten 43 off 20 deliveries including four boundaries and two sixes to put England to a challenging total but it was not enough to beat India.

Impressive batting performance 👌
Fine bowling display 👍#TeamIndia beat England & win their first warm-up game. 👏 👏#INDvENG #T20WorldCup

📸: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/jIBgYFqOjz

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2021

The Men in Blues came all guns blazing with KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan going after the new balls bowlers. Rahul and Ishan both scored individual half-centuries to set the platform before Rishabh Pant took Virat Kohli & Co over the line with an over to spare.